Ilkley Literature Festival
@ilkleylitfest.bsky.social
The north of England's longest-running literature festival.
Coming in 2025: 3-19 October 2025.
#ILF25 | Produced by @thewordupnorth.bsky.social
Coming in 2025: 3-19 October 2025.
#ILF25 | Produced by @thewordupnorth.bsky.social
It was a pleasure to host the annual New Northern Poets showcase last month as part of ILF25. Keep an eye on these amazing poets - and keep an ear out for their upcoming podcast series!
Our New Northern Poets debuted their latest work at an amazing @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social showcase last month. They also took the chance to record the new series of the New Northern Poets podcast - focussing on the life of a poet. Keep your ears out - coming soon! 🎧
November 11, 2025 at 5:27 PM
It was a pleasure to host the annual New Northern Poets showcase last month as part of ILF25. Keep an eye on these amazing poets - and keep an ear out for their upcoming podcast series!
Join us on Sat 31 January as political columnist and man-who saw-it-all Steve Richards casts new light on Blair’s time in office, showing that many of the challenges facing him were the ones that still face Labour today and discussing the lessons today’s government can learn from the Blair years.
November 5, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Join us on Sat 31 January as political columnist and man-who saw-it-all Steve Richards casts new light on Blair’s time in office, showing that many of the challenges facing him were the ones that still face Labour today and discussing the lessons today’s government can learn from the Blair years.
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
Such an interesting and enjoyable time interviewing and presenting an eclectic mix of authors and their fascinating books @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social. And a magnificent effort by the team @thewordupnorth.bsky.social to produce the festival back-to-back with #ContainsStrongLanguage
October 24, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Such an interesting and enjoyable time interviewing and presenting an eclectic mix of authors and their fascinating books @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social. And a magnificent effort by the team @thewordupnorth.bsky.social to produce the festival back-to-back with #ContainsStrongLanguage
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
Last weekend had an amazing time speaking about Rare Tongues @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social
Wonderful theatre! Sold out! And only one book left at the end. Relaxed afterwards with Hockney and cello music before the long, reluctant drive home. What a brilliant part of our country!
Wonderful theatre! Sold out! And only one book left at the end. Relaxed afterwards with Hockney and cello music before the long, reluctant drive home. What a brilliant part of our country!
October 22, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Last weekend had an amazing time speaking about Rare Tongues @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social
Wonderful theatre! Sold out! And only one book left at the end. Relaxed afterwards with Hockney and cello music before the long, reluctant drive home. What a brilliant part of our country!
Wonderful theatre! Sold out! And only one book left at the end. Relaxed afterwards with Hockney and cello music before the long, reluctant drive home. What a brilliant part of our country!
Puppy love with Mark Radcliffe and Arlo at the King's Hall on Sunday 😍 🐶
October 22, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Puppy love with Mark Radcliffe and Arlo at the King's Hall on Sunday 😍 🐶
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
Waiting in the green room of the Ilkley Playhouse, matching my snacks with the topic of discussion for @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Waiting in the green room of the Ilkley Playhouse, matching my snacks with the topic of discussion for @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
There's a special buzz when you spot your book in a #bookshop window! 🤩
I spy #NaturesMemory in @grovebookshop.bsky.social (ahead of my talk at @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social later)
I spy #NaturesMemory in @grovebookshop.bsky.social (ahead of my talk at @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social later)
October 18, 2025 at 1:35 PM
There's a special buzz when you spot your book in a #bookshop window! 🤩
I spy #NaturesMemory in @grovebookshop.bsky.social (ahead of my talk at @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social later)
I spy #NaturesMemory in @grovebookshop.bsky.social (ahead of my talk at @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social later)
It's the final weekend (du-du-duuu-du)! But we're certainly not winding down early. Check out what we have on this weekend!
There's still time to get your tickets at ilkleylitfest.org.uk or by calling 01943 816714. You can also purchase tickets at our venues.
There's still time to get your tickets at ilkleylitfest.org.uk or by calling 01943 816714. You can also purchase tickets at our venues.
October 17, 2025 at 1:34 PM
It's the final weekend (du-du-duuu-du)! But we're certainly not winding down early. Check out what we have on this weekend!
There's still time to get your tickets at ilkleylitfest.org.uk or by calling 01943 816714. You can also purchase tickets at our venues.
There's still time to get your tickets at ilkleylitfest.org.uk or by calling 01943 816714. You can also purchase tickets at our venues.
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
Excellent afternoon ay @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social - lovely audience, good questions, nice chats afterwards. Thanks to everyone involved and for the great communication throughout.
October 11, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Excellent afternoon ay @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social - lovely audience, good questions, nice chats afterwards. Thanks to everyone involved and for the great communication throughout.
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
Join us on Saturday at Ilkley Literature Festival!
The Poems: 40 Years in the North, with Ian Harker
Saturday 18 October, 3.30pm
More details and tickets: www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/62-th...
@ilkleylitfest.bsky.social
The Poems: 40 Years in the North, with Ian Harker
Saturday 18 October, 3.30pm
More details and tickets: www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/62-th...
@ilkleylitfest.bsky.social
October 12, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Join us on Saturday at Ilkley Literature Festival!
The Poems: 40 Years in the North, with Ian Harker
Saturday 18 October, 3.30pm
More details and tickets: www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/62-th...
@ilkleylitfest.bsky.social
The Poems: 40 Years in the North, with Ian Harker
Saturday 18 October, 3.30pm
More details and tickets: www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/62-th...
@ilkleylitfest.bsky.social
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
Thanks to the 90+ people who came to the launch event for Malachi Whitaker's 1939 memoir, And So Did I @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social reprinted after 38 years by @bhousepress.bsky.social
Thanks for the great questions & for buying so many copies of our Malachi's marvellous book!
Thanks for the great questions & for buying so many copies of our Malachi's marvellous book!
October 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Thanks to the 90+ people who came to the launch event for Malachi Whitaker's 1939 memoir, And So Did I @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social reprinted after 38 years by @bhousepress.bsky.social
Thanks for the great questions & for buying so many copies of our Malachi's marvellous book!
Thanks for the great questions & for buying so many copies of our Malachi's marvellous book!
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
Had a lovely afternoon at @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social listening to Sadiah Qureshi in discussion with Greg Radick on her latest book, Vanished. Very excited to get stuck into it!
October 12, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Had a lovely afternoon at @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social listening to Sadiah Qureshi in discussion with Greg Radick on her latest book, Vanished. Very excited to get stuck into it!
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
Brilliant, fascinating couple of Maybe I'm Amazed events this weekend in Durham & Ilkley. Big thanks to Paul Smith & @frankjf.bsky.social for such perceptive interviews, the organisers of two superb festivals & everyone who came
Order the book here linktr.ee/maybeimamazed
Order the book here linktr.ee/maybeimamazed
October 12, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Brilliant, fascinating couple of Maybe I'm Amazed events this weekend in Durham & Ilkley. Big thanks to Paul Smith & @frankjf.bsky.social for such perceptive interviews, the organisers of two superb festivals & everyone who came
Order the book here linktr.ee/maybeimamazed
Order the book here linktr.ee/maybeimamazed
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
Brilliant, fascinating couple of Maybe I'm Amazed events this weekend in Durham & Ilkley. Big thanks to Paul Smith & @frankjf.bsky.social for such perceptive interviews, the organisers of two superb festivals & everyone who came
Order the book here linktr.ee/maybeimamazed
Order the book here linktr.ee/maybeimamazed
October 12, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
I’ll be at @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social on October 18th talking about Alan Bennett’s brilliant memoir Untold Stories on a live recording of @beelitmag.bsky.social’s brilliant Working Class Library podcast. There are still a few tickets left and are priced at pay what you feel. Link in bio.
October 13, 2025 at 10:02 AM
I’ll be at @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social on October 18th talking about Alan Bennett’s brilliant memoir Untold Stories on a live recording of @beelitmag.bsky.social’s brilliant Working Class Library podcast. There are still a few tickets left and are priced at pay what you feel. Link in bio.
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
Signing copies of my Afterword in Malachi Whitaker's 1939 memoir 'And So Did I' yesterday @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social with Malachi's daughter Val Tordoff. Reprinted for the first time in 38 years by Recovered Books, Boiler House Press, University of East Anglia @bhousepress.bsky.social (Valerie)
October 13, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Signing copies of my Afterword in Malachi Whitaker's 1939 memoir 'And So Did I' yesterday @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social with Malachi's daughter Val Tordoff. Reprinted for the first time in 38 years by Recovered Books, Boiler House Press, University of East Anglia @bhousepress.bsky.social (Valerie)
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
The queue for the post-event book signing is generally a reliable indicator of how well an author has been received, and it was through the door for @johnharris1969.bsky.social yesterday @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social
October 13, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The queue for the post-event book signing is generally a reliable indicator of how well an author has been received, and it was through the door for @johnharris1969.bsky.social yesterday @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
Wonderful talk by author @lamornaash.bsky.social on Sat @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social about her new book - courageous, honest & uplifting. Thanks not just for signing copy for my son but also for unpacking what ‘The Grand Inquisitor’ is all about - after reading your book I finally get it! (at last!)
October 13, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Wonderful talk by author @lamornaash.bsky.social on Sat @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social about her new book - courageous, honest & uplifting. Thanks not just for signing copy for my son but also for unpacking what ‘The Grand Inquisitor’ is all about - after reading your book I finally get it! (at last!)
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM FANS (and skeptics), if you're around #Yorkshire this weekend, I'll be speaking at @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social about #NaturesMemory: Behind the Scenes at the World's Natural History #Museums.
Book here: ilkleyliteraturefestival-tickets.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...
Book here: ilkleyliteraturefestival-tickets.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...
October 15, 2025 at 4:44 PM
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM FANS (and skeptics), if you're around #Yorkshire this weekend, I'll be speaking at @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social about #NaturesMemory: Behind the Scenes at the World's Natural History #Museums.
Book here: ilkleyliteraturefestival-tickets.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...
Book here: ilkleyliteraturefestival-tickets.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
If you're in or near Ilkley this weekend, I'm at Church House at 2.30 on Saturday.
Diaries out - here's what we have in store for you at ILF this week and weekend! 🗓️ 📚
Tickets available at ilkleylitfest.org.uk or call the box office on 01943 816714 🎟️
Tickets available at ilkleylitfest.org.uk or call the box office on 01943 816714 🎟️
October 7, 2025 at 11:46 AM
If you're in or near Ilkley this weekend, I'm at Church House at 2.30 on Saturday.
Diaries out - here's what we have in store for you at ILF this week and weekend! 🗓️ 📚
Tickets available at ilkleylitfest.org.uk or call the box office on 01943 816714 🎟️
Tickets available at ilkleylitfest.org.uk or call the box office on 01943 816714 🎟️
October 7, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Diaries out - here's what we have in store for you at ILF this week and weekend! 🗓️ 📚
Tickets available at ilkleylitfest.org.uk or call the box office on 01943 816714 🎟️
Tickets available at ilkleylitfest.org.uk or call the box office on 01943 816714 🎟️
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
Had a marvellous time talking about Lost Boys at the @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social yesterday with Sally Johnson. Thanks to the organisers and those who braved the weather to turn out for a packed event.
October 5, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Had a marvellous time talking about Lost Boys at the @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social yesterday with Sally Johnson. Thanks to the organisers and those who braved the weather to turn out for a packed event.
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
I spoke about Bergson (with my hands) at @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social
October 5, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I spoke about Bergson (with my hands) at @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social
Reposted by Ilkley Literature Festival
Really looking forward to interviewing @johnharris1969.bsky.social @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social. #MaybeImAmazed is my personal choice for book of the year; a tender, deeply moving memoir about music and autism — and essential reading!
October 6, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Really looking forward to interviewing @johnharris1969.bsky.social @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social. #MaybeImAmazed is my personal choice for book of the year; a tender, deeply moving memoir about music and autism — and essential reading!
What an opening weekend! ILF25 is well and truly underway. And there's plenty more to come from now until Sunday 19 October.
What were your highlights from our opening weekend? (don't mention the weather ☔ - that part was out of our hands...)
📸 Rich Bunce, Walking Photographer
What were your highlights from our opening weekend? (don't mention the weather ☔ - that part was out of our hands...)
📸 Rich Bunce, Walking Photographer
October 6, 2025 at 9:21 AM
What an opening weekend! ILF25 is well and truly underway. And there's plenty more to come from now until Sunday 19 October.
What were your highlights from our opening weekend? (don't mention the weather ☔ - that part was out of our hands...)
📸 Rich Bunce, Walking Photographer
What were your highlights from our opening weekend? (don't mention the weather ☔ - that part was out of our hands...)
📸 Rich Bunce, Walking Photographer